A 46-year-old man accused of touching himself inappropriately in front of two girls ages 11 and 14 was held July 16 in the St. Lucie County Jail, according to Fort Pierce Police and officials.
Handy Whitehead was arrested July 14 on two counts each related to lewd and lascivious behavior and indecent exposure after Fort Pierce Police reported finding him near the 300 block of North 14th Street.
Police determined Whitehead “engaged in lewd and lascivious acts in public view in the presence of 14- and 11-year-old (girls),” the agency stated.
Whitehead works as a groundskeeper with St. Lucie Public Schools in the district’s maintenance department, according to Chief Communications Officer Lydia Martin.
“Following his arrest, Mr. Whitehead was placed on temporary duty assignment pending the outcome of the investigation and any related proceedings,” Martin stated via text. “Because this is an ongoing personnel and legal matter, the District is unable to provide additional details at this time.”
According to an arrest affidavit, Whitehead told police he did not know the two girls were nearby when he was outside in front of his house.
“I asked him why did he say hi to them … and he stated he did say hi to (them), acknowledging that he did have knowledge that they were outside,” the affidavit states.
Whitehead was held July 16 on $60,000 bond in the St. Lucie County Jail.
Valeria Bartra is TCPalm’s food reporter. Contact her at valeria.bartra@tcpalm.com, 772-978-2246 or follow her on Instagram @vbartrajourno.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida sex allegations lands school employee behind bars
Reporting by Valeria Bartra and Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Valeria Bartra and Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers | USA TODAY Network
